A new mutation of the bird flu virus has been detected in a critically ill patient in the United States, sparking concerns among experts. The mutation, which affects the virus’s ability to bind to human cell receptors, was discovered in a sample from a patient in Louisiana.
Key Findings:
- Mutation Details: The mutation was found in a small percentage of the virus in the patient’s throat and is believed to have occurred during replication of the virus in the patient’s body.
- No Human-to-Human Transmission: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has emphasized that.
- there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the mutated strain.Cat Infections: There have been reports of bird flu infections in cats, including a fatal case in Oregon and multiple cases at a big cat sanctuary in Washington State.
Experts have cautioned that while the mutation is concerning, it is too early to determine its impact on the virus’s transmissibility or severity in humans. The CDC and other health agencies are closely monitoring the situation.
Source: Vanguard
